Sealing system for bearing assembly for floor machine

ABSTRACT

The sealing system seals the bearings of a floor machine. The sealing system provides a sealing base and a sealing head. A seal is positioned between the sealing base and the sealing head to seal the bearing. The sealing base secures to the driver plate. The sealing base extends upward above the bearing. The sealing head is positioned above the sealing base. The sealing head is positioned radially inward of the sealing base at the bearing. The sealing head extends upward above the sealing base and extends outward beyond an upper portion of the sealing base to be located radially outward from the sealing base. The seal is located at an upper portion of the sealing base. The seal is located radially outward from the sealing base. The seal is located below the sealing head at a sealing aperture located between a sealing shoulder and a sealing neck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation in part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/038,634 entitled SEALING SYSTEM FORBEARING ASSEMBLY FOR FLOOR MACHINE filed on Sep. 30, 2020 that is acontinuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/908,264 entitled SEALINGSYSTEM FOR BEARING ASSEMBLY FOR FLOOR MACHINE filed on Sep. 30, 2019that is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limitedto copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rightswhatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a sealing system for a floormachine. More specifically, the present invention is related to sealingthe bearings of a versatile floor machine capable of completing multipletasks. The versatile floor machine of the present invention canaccomplish preparation for re-coating, chemical stripping jobs,polishing, scrubbing, floor cleaning, baseboard cleaning, wall cleaning,carpet cleaning, grout cleaning, finish removal, floor repair, sanding,glue removal, gum removal, epoxy removal, stone polishing, and otherfloor needs. The versatile floor machine functions on tile, granite,hardwood, stone, carpet, stairs, grout, concrete, and other flooringsurfaces.

The floor machine provides a handle attached to a motor and housing. Afloor preparation body attaches to a driver plate secured to the housingfor treatment of the flooring. The preparation body varies according tothe desired task to be accomplished by the floor machine. The shaft ofthe motor attaches to an eccentric to an offset position to revolve thepreparation body and driver plate around the offset attachment. Themotor revolves the preparation body and driver plate to complete thedesired task on the floor. Such attachment appears to vibrate thepreparation body. In another embodiment, the motor vibrates thepreparation body.

The present invention seals the bearings around the driver plate and theeccentric. The seal limits the amount of dirt, grime, water, and otherdebris to which the bearings are exposed. Limiting the exposure of thebearings to dirt, grime, water, and other debris extends the life of thebearing and improves the functioning of the floor machine.

II. Known Art

Patents and patent applications disclosing relevant information aredisclosed below. These patents and patent applications are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,236 issued to Goodman et al. on Oct. 2, 2012 (“the'236 patent”) teaches a baseboard cleaning apparatus for cleaning abaseboard of a wall extending upright along the wall with respect to afloor includes a cleaning head and a block positioned in either side ofa skid plate, and which are connected by a connector that extendsthrough a slot formed in the skid plate. The skid plate taught by the'236 patent has a lower extremity formed with a skid, and the connectoris movable along the slot between lowered positions of the baseboardcleaning head and the fixture toward the skid formed in the lowerextremity of the skid plate, and raised positions of the baseboardcleaning head and the fixture away from the skid formed in the lowerextremity of the skid plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,758 issued to Avila on Sep. 2, 2008 teaches anapparatus for cleaning a baseboard of a wall generally comprises anextendable handle to which a friction decreasing device such as a wheel,an adsorbent/desorbent pad and a pad compression device are assembled ina manner such that the lower end of said apparatus can be immersed in abucket of water.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,943 issued to Sandoval on Nov. 20, 2007 (“the '943patent”) teaches an apparatus for cleaning a baseboard of a wall thatmay include pads and a handle. A front surface of at least one of thepads taught by the '943 patent may be configured to contact a portion ofthe baseboard during use. A liquid dispenser taught by the '943 patentmay be provided to wet one or more of the pads during use. A portion ofthe handle taught by the '943 patent may be angled to extend away fromthe wall and rearward from the pad during use. Top pads taught by the'943 patent may be provided for cleaning a top face of the baseboard.The top pads taught by the '943 patent may be vertically andhorizontally adjustable relative to a holder to accommodate baseboardsof various dimensions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,222 issued to Lelkes et al. on Jul. 9, 1996 (“the'222 patent”) teaches a floor machine for cleaning a floor and/or walland/or downward upstanding from the wall, includes at least one dischaving a floor cleaning pad covering a lower surface and wall cleaningmaterial projecting from its periphery. The wall cleaning materialtaught by the '222 patent may be bristles or a wrap-around separatestrip of abrasive felted material, or a margin of the floor cleaning padmay be bent upwardly to form a vertical cylindrical surface.Alternatively, floor pads taught by the '222 patent may be stacked topresent a vertical cylindrical wall cleaning surface. The disc taught bythe '222 patent may be engaged with a drive shaft, or stacked discs mayinterengage with each other, the topmost being engaged with the driveshaft. The bottom disc taught by the '222 patent may have a bevel risingfrom the lower surface. Bristles taught by the '222 patent extend fromthe bevel at right angles. When the floor machine rests on the floor inoperation position, the bristles extending from the bevel taught by the'222 patent are bent upwardly to be forced towards the angle betweenfloor and wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,703 issued to Mejia et al. on Jul. 26, 1994 teachesa power driven floor and baseboard scrubber is provided havingreciprocating plates with scrubbing pads thereon arranged to clean anarea at an intersection of the floor and the baseboard, on a stair stepand its riser. A handle taught by the '703 patent is provided foroperational purposes and wheels for transportation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,985 issued to Palmer on Dec. 29, 1992 (“the '985patent”) teaches a foot mounted scrubber device is provided for use inscrubbing and cleaning selected problem areas of a floor, and alongadjacent baseboard surfaces and the like. The scrubber device taught bythe '985 patent comprises a relatively flat sole plate, in combinationwith a toe upper and an elastic heel strap for securely mounting thesole plate onto a shoe in a position underlying the ball region and toesof a user's foot. The sole plate taught by the '985 patent defines anabrasive scrubber surface which can be applied against a problem area tobe cleaned through the use of the leg muscles in combination with theuser's body weight. In a preferred form, the '985 patent teaches thatthe sole plate and toe upper cooperatively define a pointed forward toelined with an abrasive scrubber material for use in cleaning baseboardsurfaces and corners and the like along the edge of the floor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,597 issued to Fouracre on May 24, 1977 teaches ahousing that contains a motor driven by an electrical source and a shaftconnected to the motor drives a brush which can clean a tile floor whilea bevelled gear attached to the shaft may drive a second bevelled gearconnected to a perpendicular shaft which passes through the housing, abrush attached to the perpendicular shaft may clean a sideboard while ifthe edge of the sideboard cleaning brush is bevelled then the baseboardcleaning brush may also clean the bevelled corner between the floor andthe baseboard.

U.S. Publication No. 20130061414 to Swist on Mar. 14, 2013 (“the '414publication”) teaches a cleaning system that is provided comprising acompliant pad and a consumable pad for use in conjunction with a varietyof cleaning implements. The compliant pad taught by the '414 publicationmay according to embodiments of the invention provide for bothcompliance to the contour of the surface being cleaned but also allowsfor the compliant pad to provide for controlled release of fragrance,solvents, cleaning agents etc within the matrix or matrices provided inits construction. Likewise the consumable pad taught by the '414publication may provide elements providing dust attraction/retention,abrasion, as well as controlled release of fragrance, solvents, cleaningagents etc within the materials provided in its construction. Accordingto embodiments of the invention the compliant pad and/or consumable padtaught by the '414 publication are water soluble to provide this releasewherein the water is provided either from within one or both of thecompliant pad and consumable pad or from the cleaning implement to whichthey are attached.

U.S. Publication No. 20110191972 issued to Goodman on Aug. 11, 2011(“the '972 publication”) teaches a baseboard cleaning apparatus forcleaning a baseboard of a wall extending upright along the wall withrespect to a floor includes a cleaning head and a block positioned ineither side of a skid plate, and which are connected by a connector thatextends through a slot formed in the skid plate. The skid plate taughtby the '972 publication has a lower extremity formed with a skid, andthe connector is movable along the slot between lowered positions of thebaseboard cleaning head and the fixture toward the skid formed in thelower extremity of the skid plate, and raised positions of the baseboardcleaning head and the fixture away from the skid formed in the lowerextremity of the skid plate.

U.S. Publication No. 20080145132 to Sandoval on Jun. 19, 2008 (“the '132publication”) teaches a device for cleaning trim of a room includes ahead and a handle. The head taught by the '132 publication includes atleast one first cleaning portion that can clean a first surface of thetrim by moving the head in a lengthwise direction of the trim and atleast one second cleaning portion that can clean a second surface of thetrim by moving the head lengthwise direction of the trim, the secondsurface being above the first surface and not co-planar with the firstsurface. The head includes a removable cover. At least part of the firstcleaning portion and at least part of the second cleaning portion areformed in the removable cover taught by the '132 publication.

U.S. Publication No. 20040083579 to Furr-Britt on May 6, 2004 (“the '579publication”) teaches a dual handle attachment for a floor appliance,e.g., vacuum cleaner, large push broom, mop, squeegee, etc., allows auser of the appliance to manipulate or maneuver the appliance usinggenerally symmetrical upper body, arm, wrist, and hand forces andmovements, thereby obviating the need for asymmetrical twisting and thegreater strength required to manipulate such a device using only asingle arm and hand. The present attachment taught by the '579publication comprises a single central bracket which attaches to theconventional single handlebar of such an appliance, with a left and aright handgrip adjustably extending from the central bracket. The twohandgrips taught by the '579 publication may be pivotally adjusted bythe user as desired, and may be interchanged for handgrips havingdifferent shapes or configurations as desired. One embodiment taught bythe '579 publication may be removably secured to the appliance, withanother embodiment providing for permanent attachment as an integralpart of the appliance at the time of manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a sealing system for a floor machinefor re-coating, stripping, polishing, scrubbing, cleaning, finishremoval, floor repair, sanding, and other floor needs. The floor machineprovides a handle attached to a motor and housing. The shaft of themotor attaches to an eccentric to an offset position to revolve thepreparation body around the offset attachment. The motor revolves thepreparation body to complete the desired task on the floor. Suchattachment appears to vibrate the preparation body. In anotherembodiment, the motor vibrates the preparation body.

The sealing system provides a sealing base and a sealing head. A seal ispositioned between the sealing base and the sealing head to seal thebearing.

The sealing base secures to the driver plate. The sealing base extendsupward above the bearing. The sealing head is positioned above thesealing base. The sealing head is positioned radially inward of thesealing base at the bearing. The sealing head extends upward above thesealing base and extends outward beyond an upper portion of the sealingbase to be located radially outward from the sealing base.

The seal is located at an upper portion of the sealing base. The seal islocated radially outward from the sealing base. The seal is locatedbelow the sealing head at a sealing aperture located between an innerportion of the sealing base and an outer portion of the sealing head.

It is an object of the present invention to extend the life of thebearings.

It is another object of the present invention to seal bearings to limitexposure of the bearings to dirt, water, and other debris.

It is another object of the present invention to force water, dirt, andother debris to travel upwards beyond a seal to reach the bearings.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, alongwith features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or becomeapparent by reviewing the following detailed description of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification andwhich are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which likereference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a right side environmental view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2 show the floor machine 100 with motor 98 and housing 102. Thehousing 102 protects the eccentric and bearings within the housing 102.A power cord is plugged into a power source that powers the motor 98.The motor 98 revolves the driver plate 104 that secures to thepreparation body. The preparation body secures to the driver plate 104for contacting the floor.

The floor machine 100 prepares and/or cleans the floor. Operation of thefloor machine 100 under such conditions exposes the internal componentsto dirt, water, and other debris. Such exposure of the internalcomponents to dirt, water, and other debris could potentially damage orreduce the life of the internal components of the floor machine. Toresolve such an issue, the sealing system seals the bearing assembliesand the bearings.

FIGS. 3-5 show more detailed views of the sealing system 96 within thehousing 102 of the floor machine 100. The driver plate 104 secures tothe eccentric 130 and the motor 98 via shaft fastener 128 and fastener107. The eccentric 130 attaches to driver plate 104. Eccentric 130offsets the attachment of the driver plate 104 with the motor. Shaftfastener 128, fastener 107, and sealing base 106 secure the eccentric130 with the motor 98. Offsetting shaft fastener 128 in relation to thedriver plate 104 enables the driver plate 104 to revolve around theshaft fastener 128.

A spacer ring 122 is located radially outward from an inner race of thebearing 120. The spacer ring 122 is also positioned below the bearing120. The spacer ring 122 seats the bearing 120 to maintain thepositioning of the bearing 120. Opening 124 provides additional spacebetween the spacer ring 122 and the sealing base 108.

The sealing system 96 provides a sealing base 106 and a sealing head114. The sealing base 106 and sealing head 114 position a seal 118 abovethe bearings 120. The bearings 120 are positioned within the bearingaperture 119 between the sealing head 112 and the sealing base 106. Thesealing base 106 secures to the driving plate 104. The sealing head 112is positioned above the sealing base 106. Seal 118 is placed between thesealing head 110 and the sealing base 106. In one embodiment, the sealis a double lipped seal or a double lipped axle seal. The seal 118 ispositioned within a seal aperture 117 formed radially between thesealing head 112 and the sealing base 106.

The sealing base 106 provides a sealing leg 108 that accepts a fastener107 to secure the sealing base 106 to the driving plate 104. The sealingleg 108 is located radially outward from the eccentric 130 and thebearings 120.

The sealing base 106 extends upward above the bearings 120 at sealingneck 110. The sealing neck 110 is located radially outward from theinnermost portion of the bearings 120. The sealing neck 110 extendsupward above the bearings 120 and extends partially across an uppersurface of the bearings 120. The sealing base 106 is positioned radiallyoutward from the most radially inward portion of the bearings 120 andextends radially inward above the bearings 120. The sealing base 106 ofone embodiment only partially extends across the bearings 120. Thesealing neck 110 provides a contact surface for the seal 118 to contactto seal the bearings 120. The contact surface of neck 110 is locatedradially outward from a radial innermost surface of the bearings 120.

The sealing head 112 is positioned above the sealing base 106. Thesealing head 112 provides a sealing shoulder 114 and a sealing body 116.The sealing body 116 is located radially inwards from the bearings 120.The sealing head 112 extends upward above the bearing 120 and extends atleast partially across an upper surface of the bearings 120. In oneembodiment, the sealing head 112 extends radially across the bearings120. In another embodiment, the sealing head 112 extends partiallyacross the bearings 120 and is located radially inward from the mostradially outer portion of the bearings 120.

The sealing head 112 and the sealing base 106 form a sealing aperture117. The sealing aperture 117 is located between the sealing shoulder114 and the sealing neck 110. The sealing aperture is located above thebearings 120. The sealing aperture 117 is located radially between theinnermost radial portion of the bearings 120 and the outermost radialportion of the bearings 120.

The seal 118 is positioned above the bearings 120 within the sealingaperture 117. The seal 118 contacts the seal surface of the sealing neck110. The seal surface is located above the bearings 120. The sealsurface of the sealing neck 110 is located between the radial outermostportion of the bearings 120 and the radial innermost portion of thebearings 120.

The sealing base 106 is positioned radially outward from the bearings120 and extends radially inward above the bearings 120. The sealing base106 of one embodiment only partially extends across the bearings 120.The sealing neck 110 provides a contact surface for the seal 118 tocontact to seal the bearings 120. The contact surface of neck 110 islocated radially inwards from the innermost surface of the bearings 120.

The sealing body 116 secures to eccentric plate 134 via fastener 132.Eccentric plate 134 is positioned below the bearings 120 and between thebearings. The shaft fastener 128 extends through the eccentric plate 134into the shaft 98 for securing the eccentric 130. The eccentric plate134, such as a ring, seats the bearings 120 to limit downward movementof the bearings 120.

The sealing system 96 forms a seal around the bearings 120. The sealingsystem 96 closes a bottom surface of the floor machine. The sealingsystem 96 directs dirt, debris, and water upwards above the bearings.The seal 118 placed between the sealing base and the sealing head limitsthe amount of dirt, debris, and water that can travel upward beyond theseal 118 and above the sealing neck to reach the bearings. Such asealing system 96 reduces the amount of dirt, debris, and water thatreaches the bearings 120. The seal 118 increases the lifespan of thefloor machine and reduces wear and tear on the bearings.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is onewell adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth,together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing system for sealing a bearing around a shaft of a floor machine, the system comprising: a sealing base that seats a seal to seal the bearing, wherein the sealing base seats the bearing around the shaft; a sealing head that extends vertically above the sealing base, wherein the sealing head seats the seal to seal the bearing; the seal positioned between the sealing head and the sealing base; a bearing aperture located between the sealing base and the sealing head, wherein the bearing aperture is located vertically below the seal, wherein the bearing is located in the bearing aperture, wherein the seal seals the bearing positioned within the bearing aperture.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the bearing aperture is located off center of the shaft.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealing base is located radially outward from the sealing head at the bearing.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the sealing head is located vertically above the seal.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the sealing base is located vertically below the seal.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealing head is located radially outward from the seal.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the sealing head is located radially inward from the seal.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the sealing head extends radially across the seal above the seal.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the sealing head positioned radially outward of the seal seats the seal against the sealing base, wherein the seal seals against the sealing base.
 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a sealing lip of the seal wherein the sealing lip contacts an outer surface of the sealing base to seal radially inward against the outer surface of the sealing base.
 11. A sealing system for sealing a bearing around a shaft of a floor machine, the system comprising: a driver plate configured to be driven by the shaft; a sealing base that secures to the driver plate, wherein the sealing base seats a seal to seal the bearing; a sealing head that extends vertically above the sealing base, wherein the sealing head seats the seal to seal the bearing; the seal positioned between the sealing head and the sealing base; a bearing aperture located between the sealing base and the sealing head, wherein the bearing aperture is located vertically below the seal, wherein the bearing is located in the bearing aperture, wherein the seal seals the bearing positioned within the bearing aperture.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the sealing base is located vertically between the seal and the bearing aperture.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the sealing base is located radially outward from the sealing head at the bearing aperture.
 14. The system of claim 11 further comprising: a sealing contact on an outer surface of the sealing base, wherein the seal contacts the sealing contact of the sealing base to seal against the sealing base.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sealing base is located radially inward of the seal at the sealing contact.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sealing head is located radially outward of the seal at the sealing contact.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the sealing head is located radially inward of the seal at the sealing contact, wherein the sealing contact is located between an outer portion of the sealing head and an interior portion of the sealing head, wherein the sealing base is located between the outer portion of the sealing head and the interior portion of the sealing head at the sealing contact.
 18. A sealing system for sealing a bearing around a shaft of a floor machine, the system comprising: a driver plate configured to be driven by the shaft; a sealing base that secures to the driver plate, wherein the sealing base seats a seal to seal the bearing; a sealing head that extends vertically above the sealing base, wherein the sealing head seats the seal to seal the bearing; a shaft aperture extending along a vertical axis through the sealing head and the sealing base; the seal positioned between the sealing head and the sealing base; a sealing contact on an outer surface of the sealing base, wherein the seal contacts the sealing contact of the sealing base to seal against the sealing base; a bearing aperture located radially between the sealing base and the sealing head, wherein the bearing aperture is located vertically below the seal, wherein the bearing is located in the bearing aperture; wherein the sealing head is located radially inward of the sealing contact and radially outward of the sealing contact at a vertical position of the sealing contact, wherein the sealing head extends radially outward above the seal and the sealing contact while extending radially across the seal.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sealing base is located radially inward of the seal at the sealing contact, wherein the sealing base is located radially outward of the seal vertically below the sealing contact.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein an outer surface of the sealing head extends downward radially outward of the seal across the sealing contact, wherein an inner surface of the sealing head extends downward radially inward of the seal across the sealing contact, wherein the sealing contact is located between the outer surface of the sealing head and the inner surface of the sealing head, wherein the sealing base is located between the outer surface of the sealing head and the inner surface of the sealing head at the sealing contact. 